Public asked for input on new land-use plan - (Calgary Nov 13, 4pm-8pm)

The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan will aim to balance the relationship between population growth, water supply, economic growth and land conservation across much of southern Alberta, but will also play a large role in preserving recreational activities in the area, say environmental groups. Photograph by: Calgary Herald/Files

Public input sought on southern Alberta land-use plan that will ‘shape your backyard’

'Idea is that it's a long-term blueprint'

By Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald November 13, 2012

Public consultations will be held in Calgary on Tuesday toward development of a sweeping plan that will shape the southern Alberta landscape for decades to come.

The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, which will guide future decisions, comprises an area spanning 83,764 square kilometres from just north of Calgary to the Canada-United States border, and is bounded by the Rocky Mountains to the west and the Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary to the east.

It’s the second in a series of land-use plans in the works by the province.

The plans are based on the province’s major watersheds and explore the relationship between population growth, water supply, economic growth and land conservation.

“Regional plans look far, far into the future,” said Neal Watson, spokesman for Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. “The idea is that it’s a long-term blueprint.”

In the South Saskatchewan region, the plan affects 45 per cent of the province’s population and includes the cities of Calgary, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, where population growth has had an impact on the landscape.

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